Editorial Reviews

A fantasy novel replete with magic, lore, and epic stakes, The Last War by Ian E.S. Adler is a classic questing adventure in the richly imagined world of Nim-Semalf. The Order of mages and the entire archipelago they protect faces invasion by the naga, catapulting five unlikely companions into the fiery crucible of destiny. Amidst ancient riddles, embattled dragon shrines, fearless storm swords, and the mysterious motives of Archmages, the fast-moving plot is enthralling, as is this new realm taking shape before readers’ eyes. Built on an elaborate mythology and supported by a classic fantasy plot of ultimate victory vs. […]

A riveting visionary read with a fantastical narrative, Mindbender by Avinash Naduvath takes the reader into the caverns of consciousness where you begin to question what is real and what is a dream. True to its title, the storyline tackles six points of view and weaves together a story cocktail packed with mystery and strife. Naduvath clearly has a great sense of the weird and wonderful, from the creation of dastardly Pogo to the kaleidoscopic structure of the narrative, though the writing sometimes veers into the purple to make a challenging narrative more obscure than necessary. What will keep you […]

Johnny, Ella, and Shawn return for another century-jumping adventure in Time Travelers of the Caribbean by Alan Frost, a charming and historical middle grade read with plenty of twists and lessons to be learned. Leaping four centuries back to the seafaring days of savage brigands, rock-hard biscuits, and international rivalries that reshaped the world, Ella and Shawn embark on a mission to rescue friends both old and new, and there may even be some treasure along the way. Subtly laced with historical references, events, and interesting facts, this quick and easy read boasts strong storylines in both timelines, as well […]

The Reign of the Occult by Lauren Louise Hazel is a breakout start to a riveting new series. Weaving in lessons about humanity’s perennial weaknesses, Hazel layers in powerful societal statements that will feel timely for YA readers. The world-building and magical exposition is done very well, and the dialogue moves the story along at an engaging clip. Whether fleeing Demons after a cage match in hell or avoiding deadly betrayals from within their merry band, this tenacious crew of heroes are entertaining from the start, in this dark and creative new work of YA fantasy.

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A true coming of age memoir, The Gosling Bride by Eileen Bader Williams is about growing up in the tumultuous seventies and its esoteric religious fervor, as she and her brother join a group that closely resembles a cult. Telling the story of being removed from Catholic school in her teenage years, struggling to form relationships with adults as she grew up, and her experience with faith, Williams’ story is told with both seriousness and endearing humor. Through her travels, she grows into a woman and discovers she has been on the road to true love her entire life, telling […]

Storm and Solace by Robin Woods is an engaging fantasy adventure bringing a modern feel to the fairytale genre. In a world of moral ambiguities, a fallen goddess looks to right wrongs on her own terms, but she just didn’t count on falling in love along the way. An inventive retelling of Beauty and the Beast, this novel works entirely on its own terms, leaning towards the mythic quality of the original in a tale of battling immortals that draws on Norse mythology, but fans of the original will be delighted by Woods’ creative take on the classic fairytale. […]

California poet Thea Rosemary cultivates a dreamlike collection of lyrical verse in The Los Angeles Gardening Guide, a title that reflects the artful inventiveness inside. Reminiscent of recent work by Lana Del Rey or Marisela Norte, this is an accomplished pouring of emotion in words exploring the journey of a woman’s transformation at the end of a relationship, finding her feet through an understanding of loss and anger, and then transcending these losses through the beauty in the cycles of nature around her. With subtle eloquence and a keen use of symbolism, this poetry collection is a probing and […]

The horrific but gripping subject of women accused as witches being burned at the stake is set alight in Burning The Witches, the first installment of Penn Fawn’s probing historical fantasy saga, the Underworld Series. Following a young woman, Hespatia, living with her grandmother in an unspecified era, she struggles with accusations of witchery in the face of a growing league of various toxic belief systems and the rising powers of her time. The author has gone full throttle with world-building throughout the novel, but it does remain somewhat murky as to the history that forms the basis […]